I need help to get my home studio working!!!

[KevinPires]

Hi everybody, i'm new here. I don't want to be the annoying newbie that has tons of questions, but i've been searching a lot about these questions i have and i still can't find a solution. ok so the problem is:

I want to be able to record/edit/mix/master my own songs, with drums, guitar, bass, keys, etc.
I don't need to record them all at once, i don't mind overdubbing.
I have a decent macbook, and i'm learning to use ProTools
(I'm getting mics to record my amps and drumkit, and monitors to listen to it all)

The doubts:

I know there are a bunch of techniques, like the mixerless approach (only audio interface), i know there's the mixer + audio interface, i know there's the mixer that is an audio interface, etc etc. Wich one would be the best for me?

The ideal was if i would be able to record each track through the mixer (or whatever), edit/add effects on ProTools, but still be able to control each recorded track through the mixer while i edit/master them. Would a mixer with usb get me all that? Or is a mixer + audio interface better?

I've cheked out M Audio FastTrack Ultra and AKAI EIE pro, and on mixers i checked alesis multimix 8 and 16, and behringer xenyx 1222 usb.

What approach/gear combination should i get?

Please help, i'm really confused here!

 

[gcolbert]

Don't buy anything until you have an idea what you are talking about. There must a few good books on Pro Tools (if you can afford to use PT). You aren't going to get any objective opiions here so you need to study a bit on your own first.

 

[JimmyS1969]

Well, first off, you need to understand the difference between a mixer, an audio interface, and a controller. A mixer will not allow you to control the inner workings of Protools. A controller will, to a degree. It depends on how much you plan on spending.

1st, decide how many input channels (recorded to separate tracks in Protools) you need. Get the appropriate interface for your needs. Forget about the need for a mixer for anything, in regards to mixing. You can do everything you need to in ProTools. Actually, IMO, forget the word 'mixer' altogether, unless you have a huge amount of cash, and a bunch of space.

Read ALL of the stickies in this forum. You will find everything you need to know.